News

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) recently hosted its Ismail al Farouqi Memorial Lecture at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion in San Antonio. The lecture, delivered by Prof. Ahmad Atif Ahmad (University of California, Santa Barbara), on the current problems and challenges facing academics in the field of Islamic Studies. This is the third time the IIIT-organized lecture has been held at the conference, which attracts scholars of religion from all over the world and is considered one of the primary meeting points for discussions on the latest theories and trends in religious studies.

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) organized a panel, entitled “ISIS and the Challenge of Interpreting Islam: Text, Context, and Islam-in-Modernity” at the American Academy of Religion (AAR) Annual Meetings on November 21, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas.

The First International Conference on ‘Belt and Road’ Countries En Route to Harmonious and Peaceful Co-Existence of Nationalities and Religions was held on October 16, 2016 in Xi’an, China. The Conference was co-organized by School of Ethnic and Religious Studies, Northwest University of Politics and Law (NWUPL) and International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). The Conference is part of the activities agreed by both institutions in an MOU signed on May 15, 2015.

The Kuliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences established a new center named "AbdulHamid A. AbuSulayman Centre for Collaborative Research" on Tuesday, 27 September, 2016. The Centre is named after the University Second Rector, Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. AbdulHamid A. AbuSulyaman as an appreciation for his vision and commitment for the betterment and upliftment of the Muslims Ummah. The Soft Launching Ceremony was attended by Honorable Rector, Deputy Rectors, Deans, Head of Departments and invited scholars.

In conjunction with University Selangor’s 11th Convocation, the University conferred Honorary Doctoral Degree — the University’s highest accolade — to Dr. Ahmad Totonji, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and community development. This is the first time in the University history an Honorary Degree was bestowed. The degree was conferred during the Main Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, November 5, 2015 at the University Main Campus in Bestari Jaya, Selangor.

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) invited Dr. Ovamir Anjum to deliver a lecture titled, “ISIS and the Future of Islam,” on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, in which he presented research that is part of a larger book project.

On Monday, October 3, 2016, the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) held a one-day seminar honoring the legacy of Dr. Jamal Barzinji, one of the Institute’s founders and leaders, who passed away in 2015. The seminar highlighted Dr. Barzinji’s legacy in four main areas: (1) Institutional and Community Development, (2) Renewal of Islamic Thought, (3) Reform of Education, and (4) Publications and Dissemination of Knowledge.

On Tuesday, October 4, 2016, the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) hosted Dr. Zaid Barzinji and the Nashville International Academy (NIA) to introduce their project, the “Islamic Whole Child Initiative”. Leaders of the project, Isra Brifkani and Ibrahim Yousef were invited via a conference call to share more about the initiative.

Ermin Sinanović delivered a lecture on “Islam and Globalization in Indonesia and Bosnia” at IIIT on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. Sinanović is the Director of Research and Academic Programs at IIIT.

At first glance, it seems clear that Indonesia and Bosnia share very little similarities. Indeed, Indonesia, an archipelago of a quarter billion inhabitants, consists of an 85% Muslim majority, whereas Bosnia has a 50% population of Muslims within its 3.5 million people. However, Sinanović asserted that despite standing at opposite ends of the Muslim world and in radically different environments, Indonesia and Bosnia have much in common.

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) hosted Dr. Aasim Padela on Tuesday, Sept. 27, for his lecture titled, “Constructing the Field of Islamic Bioethics: Why Islamic Bioethics should Matter to Islamic Studies.”

​The International Institute of Islamic Thought held its annual IIIT Intellectual Panels at the ISNA Convention on September 3-4, 2016. Five panels were organized, as well as IIIT Distinguished Scholar Award, and the Dr. Barzinji's Memorial Lecture. IIIT also had book exhibits at the bazaar and at the Registration Area.

The International Institute of Islamic Thought’s 9th Annual Summer Institute for Scholars came to an end with a picnic at the beautiful home of Dr. Yaqub Mirza in Woodstock, VA, on Aug. 13, 2016. There was a small graduation for the summer students, good food, aquatic activities, horses, and a wonderfully relaxed environment for the scholars, students, and IIIT folks to mingle and say their goodbyes. It was the perfect end to a great program.

IIIT’s 9th Summer Institute for Scholars began yesterday with vibrant discussion and debate over the term "secularism" in this year’s topic “Islamic Thought and Secular Modernity.” The annual program brings together senior and emerging scholars –in addition to the year’s Summer Students- for an opportunity to discuss and share their views on timely issues.

His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto, Nigeria, visited IIIT on Tuesday, July 26th. He had a brief meeting with IIIT executives and then he attended the special lecture "The History of the Sultanate of Sokoto and its Current Challenges" with his group and invited guests.

The CEO of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Professor Omar Kasule and Professor Fathi Hasan Malkawi, the Regional Director of the IIIT arrived in Male’, Maldives on 26th February 2016. The purpose of the trip was to begin the initial discussions about possible avenues of academic and professional collaborations between IUM and IIIT.

On July 20, 2016, IIIT held its very first Fiqh Forum entitled “Reaching Consensus on Organ Donation: A Call to the Muslim American Community,” in collaboration with the Washington Regional Transplant Community (WRTC). The purpose of this event was to create more awareness and better understanding of concerns related to organ donation and to explore ways of bringing medical professionals, community leaders, religious scholars, and social scientists together to discuss issues of concern to the American Muslim community. The day-long event consisted of four panels, each of which was followed by a robust Question and Answer session.

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The two organizations agreed to collaborate on issues relevant to the Muslim American community.

Dr. Fathi Malkawi contributed to the first Winter School in Johannesburg, South Africa from 11-16 July 2016. He presented six topics ranging from "Theory of Knowledge" to "Intellectual Building: Concepts, Levels and Map".